English, Biblical:From the Hebrew name יוֹאֵל (Yo’el) meaning “YAHWEH is God”. Joel was a minor prophet in the Old Testament, the author of the Book of Joel. In England, it was first used as a Christian name after the Protestant Reformation. (behindthename.com)

nameberry.com- Parents a half-century ago tried to jazz up and formalize old standbyJoe by reviving this Old Testament prophet name, but at this point we’re back to basics and Joe sounds much more honest and straightforward.